Friday, October 17, 2008

Blowing Out One Candle

According to my Vendor's Permit, Living Proof Photography turned one year old yesterday. It feels like it has been eons, and yet in other ways, it has gone by so fast. I owe all the success I've had over the last year to a lot of people. To the people who believed in me, who cheerleaded for me, who babysat for me, and who hired me. My whole family has been amazing--my parents, my sisters, and everyone else have been so encouraging and have chatted me up to a lot of people!

My kids have been awesome through the last year. They have let me flash them repeatedly. They've sat on my lap while I edited and told me they loved my photos. They've become little aspiring photographers themselves. And without even meaning to be, they have been so understanding, so motivating, and such an inspiration.

And their awesome Dad has been fantastic as well. When I told him I wanted to buy a whole lot of camera gear so that I could pursue professional photography, he said "Okay, let's do it." And he has been encouraging, supportive, and helpful ever since. Most of all, he has believed in me every step of the way. On the days when I said I just couldn't stretch myself any thinner and I wanted to give up, he told me to keep going. He subjected himself to "one last test shot" in the backyard over and over again, with a smile on his face. Every time I said "I don't think I can," he assured me I could. And even though this past year has also changed our relationship, he remains the greatest endless fountain of faith in me that I could ever have asked for. I don't even know how I would begin to thank him for that.

Other people I owe thanks to are the awesome photographers from around the globe that I've come to know in person and on forums who have helped, advised, critiqued, encouraged, and become friends. And even the ones out there who I silently admire and who give me a level of absolute indisputable amazingness to aspire to.

And a huge thank you to the clients whose lives I've been honored to be invited into this past year. Thank you all so much. You are the reason that I love this job.



Thank you for an absolutely AWESOME year!! I can't wait to see what's in store for the next one!

4 comments:

Tracey said...

WOW! I can't believe it's been a year already! A year filled with absolutely beautiful pictures! You have come so far already and I can't wait to see what happens with Living Proof in the years to come. All good things I am sure!!!

I am so glad that you have helped me capture Maya at a couple of different ages now! I hope you will continue to do it for years to come!!

Anonymous said...

What a great way to remember a year!

Congrats amanda! Happy 1 year!

Anonymous said...

Time sure does fly! Happy birthday Living Proof! Things will only continue getting bigger and better for you Amanda. You are a true talent. You combine the artistic and technical like no one else I know. Your photography is amazing - almost as amazing as you are! I am SO very proud of you.

Kristin said...

I love the collage of your first year! Congratulations - your images are beautiful!